The news of Galdros' imminent assault sent shockwaves through the kingdom. Padrino stood in the war room, his mind racing with possibilities. The southern province was secure, but they had barely any time to fortify their defenses before Galdros' forces would be at Rimuru's gates. The council had been hastily convened, and the room buzzed with tension.
Marko, ever the strategist, was the first to speak. "We have no choice but to call every able-bodied man and woman to arms. We can fortify the capital, but we must also consider the outlying areas. If Galdros breaks through our first line of defense, the city will be vulnerable."
Padrino nodded, his brow furrowed. "We cannot abandon the villages around the capital. They are the lifeblood of Rimuru, and if Galdros destroys them, we lose more than just land—we lose food, supplies, and morale."
Hinata, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. "What if we don't just defend the capital? We know Galdros is coming—why not use that to our advantage? We could draw them into a trap."
The room fell silent, all eyes turning to Hinata.
"A trap?" Vincent asked, intrigued. "What do you have in mind?"
Hinata's expression was firm. "We've been preparing for a defensive battle, but what if we took the fight to them? If we meet Galdros' forces on our terms, we could divide their army, lure them into the forests surrounding the capital, and ambush them where they're most vulnerable."
Marko considered her plan, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "It's risky. But if we can draw them into terrain where their numbers mean less, we could level the playing field."
Padrino paced the room, weighing the options. They had always fought as the underdog, using strategy and wit to overcome stronger opponents. This would be no different—except this time, the stakes were higher than ever.
"We'll need to be fast," Padrino said, stopping in front of the map that lay across the table. "Marko, I want you to organize a scouting party to pinpoint Galdros' exact movements. We'll send our fastest riders. Hinata, prepare the villagers. They must be ready to evacuate if necessary, but also ready to fight. Every citizen will be crucial in this battle."
He turned to Vincent and Loras. "You two will work with the remaining nobles and soldiers. We need everyone united for this. There's no room for personal ambition or grudges."
Vincent and Loras nodded, already beginning to formulate plans.
Padrino's gaze hardened as he looked at the council. "This is the battle that will decide the future of Rimuru. We've come too far to lose now."
Preparations Begin
Within hours, the kingdom of Rimuru was a flurry of activity. Farmers, blacksmiths, merchants, and soldiers worked side by side, preparing for the largest battle the kingdom had ever faced. As dusk approached, the streets of the capital were filled with the sounds of sharpening blades, the ringing of armor, and the determined murmurs of the people.
Padrino walked through the city, observing the preparations with a heavy heart. Every face he passed carried the weight of what was to come, yet none of them showed fear. His people trusted him, believed in him—and that trust was both his greatest strength and his greatest burden.
Hinata caught up with him as he stood near the training grounds, watching as young recruits sparred under the watchful eyes of veteran soldiers.
"They're ready to fight," she said quietly.
Padrino nodded, though his expression was distant. "I know. But are they ready for what's coming? This isn't just another battle. Galdros is coming with everything they have."
Hinata placed a hand on his arm, drawing him out of his thoughts. "You've led them this far, Padrino. You've built this kingdom from the ground up. They believe in you because you've shown them what's possible. That's what will win this war—your leadership, and their faith."
He turned to her, the weight of her words sinking in. "Thank you, Hinata. I needed to hear that."
Before she could respond, a rider approached, his horse lathered in sweat from a long, hard ride. "My lord, I come with news from the scouts!" the rider called out as he dismounted.
Padrino stepped forward. "Speak."
"Galdros' army is moving faster than we anticipated. They'll reach the outer villages within three days."
The Trap Is Set
The war council reconvened that evening. The news had forced them to accelerate their plans, and every detail had to be perfect. Marko outlined the ambush strategy on the map, indicating key choke points in the forests surrounding the capital.
"We'll deploy small, mobile units to harry their flanks as they march. Once they're drawn into the forest, we'll spring the trap. Our forces will strike from all sides, using the terrain to our advantage. They'll be confused, disorganized, and we'll use that moment to strike hard."
Hinata added, "The villagers are being prepared for evacuation, but those who are willing and able to fight will stay behind to help in whatever way they can."
Padrino nodded. "This is it, then. If we succeed, we'll cripple Galdros' forces and buy ourselves enough time to rally the remaining kingdoms to our cause. If we fail…"
He didn't finish the thought, but the implication hung heavy in the air.
As the meeting concluded, Padrino stood at the head of the table, addressing his council. "We've faced impossible odds before, and we've come out stronger every time. This battle will be no different. But remember this: we're not just fighting for survival. We're fighting for the future of Rimuru, for the people who believe in us, and for the dream of a kingdom built on unity and strength. We will not let Galdros take that from us."
The room was filled with quiet determination as each member of the council left to fulfill their roles. Padrino remained for a moment, staring down at the map.
"Tomorrow, we fight for everything," he whispered to himself.